Yesterday was Monday (Monday)

Today was Tuesday.

I don't think Tuesdays are all that exciting other than the fact that new episodes of Glee usually come out on Tuesday nights. Which reminds me, TV as we know it has gone to hell in a hand basket ever since the inception and ridiculous popularity of reality television...especially from shows like American Idol.

Nowadays, entire seasons of programming are put on hold so networks can schedule their best shows around finales or other important events taking place on reality TV shows. This type of reactionary maneuver makes American Idol the modern Makaveli, meaning American Idol causes fear of a wipe out of retail interchart movement--whatever that means.

Now don't get me wrong. I like American Idol. The show has put out several great artists with listenable music.

I've only seen a few episodes following the first season, including the finale when Jordin Sparks won. But, to me, nothing will ever top that tangible feeling of euphoria from listening to Kelly Clarkson sing "A Moment Like This."

Remember this song?

That's some good stuff right there.

Anyway, the point is that Tuesday is such an exciting day in the real world that it apparently makes an ideal night to run some of your best television programming. Awesome! However, there is something else that commonly happens on Tuesday nights that you may not know about: Mutual.

As a teenager, I never really understood what Mutual was or why we called it "Mutual." Most Tuesday nights we attended Boy Scouting activities or just played basketball in the gym of the chapel. But Tuesday nights in our ward were supposed to be reserved for Mutual. I guess it's because you're supposed to be associating with young people who have mutual beliefs, standards, and aspirations.

Periodically we'd have an activity that included the young women of our ward, so that was exciting. But most times it was a major sausage fest. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I guess. But we didn't really do a lot.

And I guess that's the point. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has numerous well-intentioned programs designed to help kids have a good time and learn about their options so they can make effective choices as they grow up. The thing is, these programs are run completely by volunteers who are often busy trying to take care of their own kids and make sure their own kids are making good decisions. This basically means that, if you aren't taking care of your own kids, nobody else will. You and your family have to learn to be self-reliant.

Then again...maybe they were teaching me something on those Tuesday nights after all...